(Continued)

There are in this Concerto (it is Beethoven's Op. 58, in the key of G) several points of treatment that were new and striking when the work was produced.

First Movement. The first new thing is that instead of beginning with the usual burst of Full Orchestra (a plan he had followed in his three earlier Concertos), Beethoven lets the Soloists announce the First Main Tune. Besides this, there are several other leading tunes, the Second Main one being given to Violins (a minor key melody in 'arpeggio' steps), and two or three others being brought in.
The Second Movement provides another of the work's points of rarity and interest. It is very short, and consists of a lovely dialogue between Orchestra' and Pianoforte, the former stating an emphatic, almost imperious Tune, and ' the latter replying in smooth, quiet, thoughtful passages, as if sweetly reasoning with the other's impatience.

Third Movement. This is a sprightly Rondo, clearly and cleanly built.

SH. Braithwaite is a native of Cumberland (born 1883), and an ex-student of the Royal Academy, London. He gives no basis for his Snow Picture other than the title. The Piano, the bell-like Glockenspiel and various other Percussion instruments have a good deal to do with the 'atmospherics' of the piece.

Stanford stated that the Rhapsody was inspired by 'an episode in the legend of the Finns and the loves of Cuchullin the Emer,' which will convey clear ideas to any Irishman versed in the legendary lore of his land.